Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Slidell, LA: $70,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Slidell, LA earns a median $70,391/year (≈ $33.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Slidell's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $75,913 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Slidell, LA, is projected to reach a median of $70,391, which is slightly above the national median of $70,247. The salary for this position within the city ranges from a low of $26,802 to a high of $83,067, indicating a diverse compensation landscape based on experience, specialty, and employer type. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and reveal a competitive market for physical therapist assistants. As those considering the PTA-to-DPT bridge pathway weigh their options, it’s worth noting that the financial implications over a lifetime can be significant, particularly in a job market known for its resilience and growth potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,802 | $12.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,663 | $21.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,391 | $33.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,067 | $39.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Slidell
In Slidell, LA, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,265 (2026 est.). At $70,391, the local median is 0.2% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Slidell: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Slidell Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Slidell median: $70,391/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Slidell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $66,784 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +0.20% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Slidell, LA earn a median of $70,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.20% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 5.40% above the Louisiana state average of $66,784.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Slidell has a cost of living 7.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Slidell, LA has a cost-of-living index of 92.726 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $70,391 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,913 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$58,910
2025 BLS Actual
$68,520
2026 Current Est.
$70,391
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Slidell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,892 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,305 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,899 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,211 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,312 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Slidell metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $58,910 (2019) to $68,520 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,312 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,402 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Slidell metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $26,802 – $45,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,663 – $70,391 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,391 – $79,770 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,770 – $83,067 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Slidell
The local job market for physical therapist assistants is currently robust, with 110 professionals employed in the Slidell area. The cost of living index stands at 92.726, indicating a more affordable environment, which positively influences take-home purchasing power. Among the various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher pay compared to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. The disparity in compensation stems from factors such as workplace settings, productivity expectations, and shifts in Medicare reimbursement rates, which have notably impacted PTA pay in facilities heavily reliant on Medicare funding since the 15% cut in 2022. To maximize earning potential in Slidell, strategies such as pursuing additional certifications or seeking roles in higher-paying specialties, while gaining experience in varied settings, can be advantageous for those in this well-respected profession.
More salary data for Slidell, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Slidell, LA in 2026?
Is Slidell, LA a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Slidell?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Slidell?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Slidell?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $68,520 for physical therapist assistantsin the Slidell metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov